Chapter 33, Problem 6RAT

To determine

The correct option for the statement "The longest living stars are those of”.

Answer to Problem 6RAT

The correct option for the statement "The longest living stars are those of ” is option (a).

Explanation of Solution

Stars of high mass are more luminous than low mass stars. The more luminous stars of high mass use up the hydrogen fuel in them at a faster rate than low mass stars. A star dies when all its fuel is used up.

When the fuel inside the star gets exhausted, the thermal pressure reduces. Hence, the gravity exceeds the thermal pressure and the star shrinks due to the inward pulling. Thus, the stars eventually die off. Therefore, low mass stars live longer than stars having more mass.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the correct option for the statement "The longest living stars are those of " is option (a).